Police departments in West Contra Costa are encouraging residents to participate in National Night Out, the annual anti-crime event on Aug. 6 by hosting or attending block evening parties in their neighborhood.

Neighborhoods host get-togethers as a way to strengthen community and police partnerships.

Richmond encourages block parties and is also holding a centralized event where residents can meet their neighbors and personnel from the police and fire departments from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at 440 Civic Center Plaza.

The schedule in Richmond includes a kickoff party at 5 p.m., performances and activities at 6 p.m. and an end party at 7:45 p.m.

San Pablo representatives will visit registered block parties and events around the city. To register and get more details contact officer Ken White at 510-215-3213.

FRIENDS OF FAITH: The Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union in Berkeley is doing its part for the ninth annual Friends of Faith Breast Cancer Challenge, a 5K walk and run around Lake Merritt in Oakland on Aug. 17.

The credit union is a sponsor of the benefit event held in memory of broadcast journalist Faith Fancher, who was claimed by breast cancer in 2003. On July 25 CCFCU representatives presented a $5,000 check to the nonprofit Friends of Faith Inc.

Joining the credit union for the presentation were the founding board, directors and walk committee members of Friends of Faith, including Bay Area television and radio personalities Rosie Allen, Barbara Rodgers Pam Moore and Rita Williams.

More than 40 people registered for this year’s walk during the presentation and the credit union will continue to register walkers until Aug. 15. Registration can also be done online at www.faithfancher5k.org.

Friends of Faith Inc. has established the East Bay Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, “the only program of its kind that provides one-time direct cash grants to uninsured Bay Area women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.”

The grants are administered by the Women’s Cancer Resource Center in Berkeley and are intended to assist with food, shelter, utilities and medications.

Learn more about Friends of Faith Inc. at www.faithfanchers.org. For more information about Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union contact Debbie Crowson at 510-295-1644 or visit www.coopfcu.org.

WEST COUNTY NOTES: The EcoVillage Farm Learning Center at 21 Laurel Lane in Richmond is holding a Saving our Vanishing Honeybees Workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 3.

Learn about the importance of honeybees to the food supply, how their numbers are decreasing and what can be done at the workshop presented by beekeeper Khaled Almaghafi.

An EcoVillage “From Farm to Table” cuisine lunch is included in the registration price and local honey and bee supplies will be on sale at a discounted price.

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